How Do Efflux Pumps Contribute to Antibiotic Resistance?
Efflux pumps contribute to antibiotic resistance by decreasing the intracellular concentration of antibiotics, thereby reducing their efficacy. These pumps can expel a wide range of antibiotics, including tetracyclines, fluoroquinolones, and macrolides. The overexpression of efflux pumps can be triggered by genetic mutations or acquired through horizontal gene transfer, making the study of these mechanisms essential for understanding the spread of antibiotic resistance.
